SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN – Will an influx of medical marijuana businesses bring new tax revenue, investment and jobs to Southwest Michigan?

Some communities are betting on it. Others would rather wait to welcome entrepreneurs eager to cash in on the growing medical marijuana industry, emboldened by state laws that regulate five types of facilities, or keep them out altogether.

Starting Friday, people can apply for medical marijuana facilities licenses with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs – but only in municipalities that passed ordinances allowing the facilities to open.

Each community in the state was confronted with the issue during the course of this year.

Keep reading to find out what some of the largest municipalities in Southwest Michigan decided.

Michigan residents can open five types of facilities

Under the new laws, applications for one of five licenses can be filed starting Dec. 15 — 360 days after the facilities licensing act went into effect on Dec. 20, 2016.

The law protects people who have obtained a license from the state from criminal penalties under state and local law. The law defines who can apply for a license and places restrictions on each type of facility.